HGH TEST BACKED BY WADA AGAINST ‘EXTREMIST’ UNION

The World Anti-Doping Agency defended its test for human growth hormone on Wednesday and accused the NFL players union of being “extremist” for questioning its validity.

WADA director general David Howman said the union was acting “the way they’ve operated the last few years” in trying to block the introduction of HGH testing in the National Football League.

“I would expect the players association to take a stance which is extremist,” Howman told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “What we’ve got to do is get to reality and not to a position that is an extremist position.”

The NFLPA questioned the HGH test again after Tuesday’s ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case of Estonian cross-country skier Andrus Veerpalu.

More NFL

The Falcons found a replacement for John Abraham by reaching an agreement with defensive end Osi Umenyiora on a two-year, $8.5 million contract.

• The Ravens agreed to a three-year deal with ex-Raiders safety Michael Huff.

• The Raiders released defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, cutting ties with their longest-tenured position player.

• The owners of the Dolphins said they will repay the state of Florida for public money designated for upcoming renovation and modernization of the team’s home, Sun Life Stadium.

• Offensive lineman Lance Louis (San Diego State), still rehabilitating from a season-ending knee injury last November, signed with the Dolphins.

• Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross told The Associated Press that his restructured deal is worth $5.5 million in 2013 and will void out after the season, making him a free agent.

College basketball

Connecticut women’s coach Geno Auriemma signed a new $10.86 million contract, a deal designed to keep him at the school through the 2017-18 season, UConn announced.

• Northwestern hired longtime Duke assistant Chris Collins to replace the fired Bill Carmody, hoping he can finally lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament and into the upper echelon of the Big Ten.

• Shaka Smart and VCU agreed in principle to a deal to keep the coach at the school. The details are still being finalized, but the majority of changes involve “program enhancements for the student-athletes and coaches,” Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin said.

College football

East Carolina will join the soon-to-be-renamed Big East as an all-sports member, instead of just for football as originally planned.

• Georgia Southern and Appalachian State announced in separate press conferences on their campuses that their athletic programs are leaving the Southern Conference to join the Sun Belt Conference in 2014.

• Notre Dame lost two more members from its 2012 recruiting class after receivers Davonte’ Neal and Justin Ferguson left the team.

Also

Former Puerto Rican world champion boxer Wilfredo Gomez is in critical condition in a hospital following respiratory failure, a family spokesman said. ... The scoreless tie between the United States and Mexico more than doubled the previous high viewership for a World Cup qualifier on an ESPN network. The game Tuesday night was watched by 2.385 million people on ESPN.